Methods of and systems for controlling water flow, breaking water waves and reducing surface erosion along rivers, streams, waterways and coastal regions

Abstract

Improved breakwater construction blocks and interlocking shear key blocks for use in constructing diverse systems and works, in broad fields of use including, but not limited to, coastal engineering: river, stream and torrent control, bulkhead designed projects, scour control, check dams, permeable and impermeable groins-both river and ocean structures and other hydraulic works including marinas.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The present invention relates to improved methods of and systems for controlling water flow, breaking water waves, and reducing surface erosion along river beds, streams, and coastal regions and waterways.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE ART[0003]In general, most armor block shapes have been developed by government agencies to provide solutions for erosion problems and the building of breakwaters for port development.[0004]Since the early 1950's concrete armor shapes have been developed and used throughout the world with varying degrees of success to construct breakwaters around the world. The building of a major breakwater is an extremely costly venture that usually takes years to design and build. When erected in deep water areas, which can generate large waves, the breakwater is generally armored with large concrete armor units because of their superior stability factor over stone when subjected to severe w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides better methods and systems for controlling ocean waves and reducing erosion along waterways. It improves breakwater construction blocks by designing them with increased stability and using a single molding system. The blocks can also be produced with different degrees of stability by adjusting the rear leg portions and central core of the blocks. Overall, this invention enhances the stability of breakwaters and protects them from damage.

Problems solved by technology

The building of a major breakwater is an extremely costly venture that usually takes years to design and build.

One of the major drawbacks associated with using concrete armor shapes for protection of marine structures is the high cost of producing the units, which are usually cast only once every 24 hours.

For a given structure requiring thousands of units, the casting operation can take months and even years to complete a given project.

While the prior art construction unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,023 offers structural integrity, it has suffered from a number of significant shortcomings and drawbacks.

In particular, this prior art breakwater construction block has experienced serious breakage problems when subjected to eccentric movement and consolidation on a breakwater slope.

In addition to presenting difficulty during the casting of the units, the four top lugs on the unit experience shearing off or breakage, and have limited the applications for this breakwater construction block design.

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